November 17, 2005

$37.5 Million R&D Facility Consolidates Michigan's Tech Leadership

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today joined Baden-Württemberg Minister President Günther Oettinger and state, local, and company leaders in Plymouth Township for the groundbreaking of Robert Bosch Corporation’s new Plymouth Township Technical Center. The 225,000-square-foot, $37.5 million facility will help position the global automotive supplier for future growth in Michigan. 

Following the groundbreaking, Granholm hosted a reception for the Baden-Württemberg delegation and met with Oettinger to strengthen the trans-Atlantic economic development partnership between two of the world’s leading automotive centers. 

“The decision by Bosch to invest in Michigan and build its state-of-the-art technical center here strengthens our standing as a global automotive R&D center and demonstrates that our state is the right place for international companies to grow,” Granholm said. “We appreciate the company’s continued commitment to Michigan and look forward to a strong partnership for years to come.”

The Plymouth Township facility, located at 15000 Haggerty Road, will allow the company to consolidate its operations in Michigan. The new center will house 475   research and development and administrative staff for its electrical and electronics divisions. Bosch plans to eventually locate as many as 2,400 associates to the facility.   

“Michigan continues to provide an ideal location for Bosch’s operations, offering a close proximity to customers and an atmosphere that fosters growth for the future,” said Kurt Liedtke, chairman, president and CEO, Robert Bosch Corporation, and member of the board of management, Robert Bosch GmbH, responsible for the Americas region.  “This new facility will allow us to strengthen our foundation in the state, support the long-term growth of our North American automotive business and expansion of sales and engineering activities.”

Headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, the Bosch Group is a leading global manufacturer of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology. Bosch employs approximately 242,000 people in more than 50 countries, including 2,800 in Michigan. The company’s operations in Michigan include its North American automotive headquarters in Farmington Hills, an automotive proving grounds in Flat Rock, a manufacturing facility in St. Joseph and a manufacturing and engineering facility in Kentwood. 

Germany is Michigan's largest European trade partner with two-way trade amounting to some $2.5 trillion each year. Michigan has seen significant investments by German automotive suppliers recently, including: Eberspächer, Mahle, Karmann Manufacturing, ZF Lemforder, Behr and pgam. Many of the new facilities and expansions have been won to Michigan in head-to-head competition with other states with the assistance of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

In the past year, 43 international auto-related companies have entered Michigan or expanded operations here, including major investments by DaimlerChrysler, Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai, Global Engine Alliance, DENSO, AISIN and Tokai Rika. 
 
“Bosch has been investing and creating jobs in Michigan for 87 years,” MEDC President and CEO James Epolito said. “This new technical center will allow the company to continue to grow and attract high-skilled workers and good-paying jobs to our state.”

In her 2005 State of the State Address, Granholm emphasized the importance of making Michigan a global economic powerhouse in the 21st century. Since January 2005, the Governor and the MEDC have announced the creation or retention of more than 64,000 jobs as a result of targeted assistance provided by the MEDC.
 
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, a partnership between the state and local communities, promotes smart economic growth by developing strategies and providing services to create and retain good jobs and a high quality of life. For more information on the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s initiatives and programs, visit the Website at www.michigan.org.